HONESDALE -- State Police in Wayne County took Jesse Lester Skates, 29, of Waymart into custody on Elk Lake Drive early Wednesday morning on charges he tried to kill a Browndale man. Police have not released the name of the male victim or that of the woman who made the 911 call around 1:40 am.
She told police she was awakened when Skates forcibly entered the residence on Martin Street in Browndale by breaking a window, and she saw him with a .22-caliber rifle. The woman retreated to the bedroom and woke the male victim. Police say Skates followed her into the bedroom; after a brief verbal exchange, he shot the man in the face. A struggle ensued, and the rifle was broken in the process.
Investigators say Skates then assaulted the victim with a pocket knife, causing a superficial laceration to his face. The male victim was transported to Geisinger CMC Hospital, Scranton, where he remains in intensive care, but is expected to survive.
Wayne County District Attorney Patrick Robinson said Skates faces counts of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and other related charges. He was arraigned before District Justice Ronald Edwards and remanded to the Wayne County Correctional Facility in lieu of $250,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in Central Court Wednesday, Dec. 11.
"The State Police did an excellent job in their swift response to this violent and needless episode.," Robinson stated.